KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Airlines Bhd is planning to operate its new Boeing B737 MAX 8 aircraft to at least five international destinations and four domestic routes from October this year.
The New Straits Times (NST) learnt that the international routes include Indonesia (Denpasar and Jakarta), Nepal (Kathmandu), the Philippines (Manila) and Thailand (Phuket).
The domestic routes are Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Miri and Penang that will likely start at the end of October this year, industry sources said.
"The planned operations for the B737 MAX 8 for these routes are believed to be for the northern winter 2023/2024 season," one of them told the NST today.
The sources said commercial airlines usually have two schedules that they follow to apply for airport slots – the summer schedule (from March to October) and the winter schedule (from October to March).
It is believed that the B737 MAX 8 would be operating Kuala Lumpur-Phuket route starting October, Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta from November, and Kuala Lumpur-Manila starting December.
Kuala Lumpur-Denpasar and Kuala Lumpur-Kathmandu routes will both be starting March 2024.
The international and domestic routes and flight schedule for the B737 MAX 8 aircraft network is also shared on AeroRoutes, the leading source for global airline schedule/network changes documentation.
Malaysia Airlines, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group, has ordered 25 narrow-body B737 MAX 8 in 2016 as part of its fleet modernisation plan.
The national carrier will be welcoming its first B737 MAX 8 at the end of August this year. The fleet will gradually grow to 25 aircraft by 2026.
On July 19, Malaysia Airlines has shared pictures of its new livery on the aircraft with the repositioning of its iconic "wau" logo to reflect its determination to move forward with optimism and energy.
The new livery also showcases exquisite songket motif in gold hues that pays tribute to Malaysia's vibrant cultural heritage.